While North Melbourne’s players take a much needed post-season break, their support staff back at Aegis Park are putting the finishing touches on the club’s pre-season high altitude training camp.

The surroundings of the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley Utah might be picturesque and the facilities luxurious, but the sub zero temperatures and gruelling training regime means it’s not going to be a holiday.

This year will mark the player’s third consecutive trip to Utah and they’ll be in the state for 19 days on a camp that promises to be the toughest yet.

With the players familiar with the environment and terrain, fitness staff can build on their conditioning levels by increasing the intensity and volume of their training. This means staying at a higher altitude for a longer period.

Heavy running and hill sessions will be a huge component of the camp there’ll be a stronger focus on skills than in previous years.

As the players begin to mature as a group and begin to realise the benefits of successive trips to the region, it’s now about maintaining and increasing their fitness levels.

In the past, the team has conducted the camp in October but this year’s event will begin in mid-November, meaning the players can expect to train in a colder climate.

Indoor sessions will be held nearby universities with weights sessions taking place at the US Ski Team facilities once again.